Dear OWSI Customer,
On January 15, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), which took effect on December 16, 2021. Under these regulations, Group A Community and non-transient non-community (NTNC) water systems are required to comply with the LCRR as outlined in 40 CFR 141.
All community and NTNC water systems must create an initial inventory of service lines that meets the LCRR standards for both public and private portions. This inventory must be submitted to the state by October 16, 2024.
The LCRR mandates that water systems review records related to service lines, including both water system-owned and customer-owned portions. While the EPA acknowledges that no inventory method is entirely accurate, it requires utilities to regularly update their inventories as new information becomes available.
With assistance from Jefferson County, OWSI identified 244 residences within the MPR built before 1987. All 244 of the residences’ service lines underwent scratch and magnet testing for lead. OWSI did not find any lead service lines nor pigtails (connectors to the water main) during the inventory. However, if your home was built before 1987, there may be lead within your home and we recommend conducting lead testing on your pipes, either by physical methods or by laboratory testing. Spectra Laboratories, located at 26276 12 Trees Ln NW, Poulsbo, WA 98370, offers laboratory testing services. https://spectra-lab.com/
More Background on Lead Pipe in Washington:
In 1986, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to prohibit the use of pipes, solder, or flux that are not “lead-free” in public water systems or plumbing for facilities providing water for human consumption. At that time, “lead-free” was defined as solder and flux with no more than 0.2% lead and pipes with no more than 8.0% lead.
In 1996, further amendments to the SDWA prohibited the use of non-lead-free pipe and plumbing fittings and fixtures in public water systems or facilities providing water for human consumption. The 1996 amendments also required lead-free plumbing fittings and fixtures to comply with lead leaching standards.
Service lines for homes built after 1986 in Washington should not contain lead. Water systems can designate homes constructed after 1986 as not having lead service lines.
To respect individual privacy while sharing information, test results are being sent directly to property owners via USPS to the address on file. If you did not receive your results and your home was built before 1987, please submit a request to the PLA/OWSI main office at 70 Breaker Lane, Port Ludlow, WA 98365, or via email at owsi@portludlowassociates.com
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Jason White
VP/Manager
